Smart Talk

Smart Talk is a daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs live every week day at 9 a.m. on witf’s 89.5 and 93.3.

Smart Talk Friday is a fast-paced program featuring thoughtful and engaging conversations about the politics, policy and people who are shaping Pennsylvania’s future. Host Matt Paul and witf Capitol Bureau Chief Mary Wilson invite your multimedia interaction before, during and after the program.

Radio Smart Talk: Keystone Tombstones Volume Two

One of the most popular Radio Smart Talk programs of 2012 was last March when Joe Farrell and Joe Farley appeared on the show. Farrell and Farley were on the program to discuss their book Keystone Tombstones -- Famous Graves Found in Pennsylvania.

The book chronicled an unusual topic -- grave sites of famous politicians, athletes, historical figures, military heroes, and movie stars who are buried in Pennsylvania. It included short biographical sketches of the deceased and photographs of their burial sites.

Like many, Farrell and Farley enjoyed walking through cemeteries and learning more about history. They turned their hobby into a book. Now, they have written and published Keystone Tombstones Volume Two.

They'll appear on Thursday's Radio Smart Talk to discuss Volume Two and the lives and graves of famous Pennsylvanians like Thaddeus Stevens, "The Black Babe Ruth" Josh Gibson, Milton Hershey, and mob boss Angelo Bruno.

Disappointing that the authors would choose to include a serial killer as a "famous" grave. Infamous is not the same as famous and you do a disservice to those who you mean to honor by including the infamous. This glorification of serial killers and the like is not healthy and may encourage other serial killers. We need to stop recognizing these people for their heinous actions.

Thanks for the great show this morning! I just wanted to add a note about the need to support local cemeteries. The beautiful Gen. John Reynolds gravesite in the Lancaster Cemetery mentioned early in the show is a awesome example of what a dedicated volunteer can do. The Reynolds family graves there are maintained by someone who drives out from NJ every month to help out! Without the help of volunteers and financial contributors many cemeteries could just not afford to operate and maintain themselves for the benefit of the public. This is especially true for older cemeteries, like the Lancaster Cemetery. If you really enjoy a local cemetery and want to see it well-maintained for future generations don't hesitate to take some time to see what ways you might be able to help out.